OBJECTIVETo understand the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on AIDS patients, and to explore the prevalence and the impact of HIV-1 drug resistance in Shandong province.

METHODS2 cross-sectional studies were carried on in 2004 and 2005, to collect data on clinical symptoms and compliance of the AIDS patients with HAART through questionnaire. Informed-consent principle was followed to test on immunological, viral and laboratory index of them. HIV-1 drug genotype resistance by sequencing the gene of HIV-POL after RT-PCR was performed and analyzed.

RESULTS31 AIDS cases with and. 27 AIDS cases without HAART, were studied. 83.3% and 64.5% of the AIDS patients with HAART showed that the CD4+ T cell count was rising to over 350/microl, in the first study (2004) and in the second (2005) study respectively but still 45.8% and 45.2% of AIDS patients under HAART in the 2 years showed a decreasing HIV load under the detected limit. However, these findings were showing remarkable difference when compared with the AIDS without HAART. 7 drug resistance gene sites were found in AIDS patients with HAART and in AIDS patients without HAART. The rate on high degree drug resistance mutation and total drug resistance rate of mutation of the former were higher remarkably than those of the latter.

CONCLUSIONMost of the AIDS patients with HAART met the purpose of rebuilding immunity and control of HIV,as well as alleviation of symptoms. Although the drug resistance stain appeared in Shandong,but had little effect on HAART. AIDS; Drug resistance; Highly active antiretroviral therapy